Blessed Beyond Measure

happy february!

2012-02-02T16:13:00.001-08:00

special day

2012-02-01T10:20:00.000-08:00

Dear Audrey,
Happy 'born-again' birthday, my girl. What a special day three years ago when you decided to ask Jesus into your heart. It is such a privilege for me to watch you grow in your love for Him. You are becoming a lovely young lady with a kind heart and gentle spirit. I could not be more proud. I'm so thankful that you're mine. But I'm even more thankful that you're His. Love you sweet girl.
Love, Mom

what's in a name?

2012-01-31T15:53:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago the kids were curious about what their names mean. They did some research and found the answers. Ever since then, Audrey has been writing her name on her schoolwork differently. I think I like it. A lot.

make a joyful noise!

2012-01-30T07:11:00.000-08:00

We have wanted a piano for awhile now. Patrick's parents even gave us some money a couple of years ago to help us get one. But we just never had space. Or could find the right one. Or had the time to teach the kids. Last Wednesday Patrick found one on Craigslist. Kylie and I went and saw it on Thursday. We liked it but the owner was moving and we had to get it out of her house by Saturday. We were able to find a piano mover that could do it on short notice and everything worked out beautifully.

We are so thankful for our new piano!!

pioneer days - week 3

2012-01-27T20:45:00.001-08:00

Co-op was cancelled last week (along with everything else on our schedule) due to the snow. So we were all excited to get back at it today. In my pioneer class we read The Deer in the Wood and Going to Town. Then the kids each made their own prairie town. It was a pretty difficult craft for this age - lots of cutting, folding and taping. But they did it. The kids seem to be enjoying the class and I'm having a great time teaching it!

snow day #5

2012-01-20T18:18:00.000-08:00

This was our fifth, and final, snow day. How do I know it was our last? Because it is warming up and has started raining so this snow should be gone soon. And I'll have a car tomorrow. I've never been so excited to go grocery shopping in my life. And Costco and Target too. Oh my. It's gonna be a good day!

Today the big kids went outside and built a snowman. Then we had some friends over and the boys built a train track in the playroom and the girls enjoyed their Bitty Babies.

A good day overall. But I will be oh so glad to get back to our regular routine next week. This was a bit too much home time, even for this homeschooling family!

snow day #4

2012-01-19T21:49:00.000-08:00

Snow day number four. Oh my. Let's see...we finished up our school work for the week. Found a really fun states/capitals game on the Internet. Did some watercolor painting. Baked banana bread. And went sledding.

What started out as a tough day (think grumpy kids and impatient mommy) turned out to be really fun. Because - we had visitors! My cousin and her best friend braved the icy roads and came over for dinner. The kids and I were thrilled! I just love these girls. They enter our home and brighten it right up. Thanks for coming Erin and Ashley. You made this snow day great!

snow day #3

2012-01-18T16:56:00.001-08:00

Okay - now I'm goin' a wee bit crazy. Three solid days. No car. Daddy not home until 7 or 8pm. Lots and lots of time at home. You'd think perhaps I'd do a deep cleaning on my house with all this spare time. But no. It pretty much looks like something blew up in here at the end of every day. So what have we been doing?

More sledding!

Working on a gigantic puzzle.

And baking homemade granola.

Oh, and school work. And blogging.

Staying busy and keeping warm. And even though I may feel a little crazy at times, I am also thankful for this time together. Making memories that will last a lifetime with the three little ones I love so much.

snow day #2

2012-01-17T14:51:00.000-08:00

It is still snowing. And according to the weather forecast, we're supposed to get a lot more. No cabin fever yet - we're staying busy with school work and lots of snow-related fun.

The big kids were invited to go to a big sledding hill with a group of kids (and one brave Daddy!) from our neighborhood. They had so much fun! And we have piles and piles of wet clothes to prove it!

Hot chocolate and candy canes to warm up with! And Christmas music - just because it feels right.

Ever since reading the Little House on the Prairie books, I have always wanted to make Molasses Snow Candy. So today Audrey and I did it. You mix molasses and brown sugar. Bring to a boil and pour into pans of snow. It was fun to make and tasted pretty good too.

Patrick has to take the big car to work in the snow. The kids love the idea that we've been "snowed in" the past couple of days. So much excitement in our little neck of the woods!

first snow!

2012-01-16T12:43:00.000-08:00

Our first snow of the season arrived today. Ethan ran around the house yelling, "We got snow! We got snow!" The kids went sledding, started an igloo, and made snow ice cream.

pioneer days - week 2

2012-01-13T15:14:00.001-08:00

Week two of our co-op pioneer class was today. It went really well. We read A Little Prairie House and then we made our own log cabins. Then we talked about how they made their own quilted blankets using various designs and patterns and we made our own scrapbook paper quilt. Turned out pretty nice!

3.5

2012-01-11T11:59:00.001-08:00

A little someone is three and a half today. He learned of this upcoming event last week and has been anxiously awaiting it. He was quite disappointed when he was told that we would not be having cake and ice cream, or riding on a train, or putting the Christmas tree back up for the big occasion. (???) We settled on rice krispie treats and singing happy birthday. Funny boy. Love him so much.

pioneer days - week 1

2012-01-07T07:40:00.001-08:00

The big kids and I started back to co-op yesterday. This quarter I am teaching my first class and let me tell you - I feel like I'm student teaching all over again! Lots of planning and crafting and a little bit of nervousness.

I decided to teach a Little House on the Prairie class to kids ages 5-10. I had visions of sewing bonnets and beading bracelets. Then I got my class list. Eight boys, two girls. So I switched gears and now it's more of a class on pioneers. Each week I will read a book or two from the "My First Little House Books" series and then we'll do a craft or game.

For week one we did a brief history lesson on where the American pioneers were traveling and why. Then I read Going West and Prairie Days. Then we made little covered wagons. And we tried corn cakes dipped in molasses just like Laura and Mary ate in our stories. Not a huge hit! And the kids were surprised that corn meal was eaten in some form at almost every meal.

It was a fun hour. Loud and crazy - but I'm used to that. Audrey and Liam loved their classes. Liam is taking Nature Crafts and Adventures in Building. And Audrey is thrilled with her Jewelry Making and Event Planning classes. Should be a great quarter!

my boys...

2012-01-03T14:57:00.000-08:00

...watching football. Love these guys!

Happy New Year everyone! Ours is off to a great start. I do love new beginnings!

Wishing you and your family the very best for 2012!

look who came to visit!

2011-12-28T16:24:00.001-08:00

My brother and his sweet girl Alice came up for a visit today. She is so stinkin' cute! Walking and talking and singing and giggling! She has the most adorable smile. Once she warmed up to this busy place, she made herself right at home.

Sure wish they lived closer so we could see them more often. But very thankful for the time we do have with them!

Christmas 2011

2011-12-26T20:20:00.001-08:00

What a wonderful Christmas weekend we had. It was quiet and relaxing. Just the way I like it.

Friday, the kids and I baked sugar cookies. Not something I had been planning, but to my husband, sugar cookies mean Christmas. So that's what we did. And it was actually very fun.

Then on Saturday when Daddy was home we decorated them.
That night we attended the Christmas Eve service at our church. And afterward, the kids opened one present. Their new Christmas jammies.
Daddy read "'Twas The Night Before Christmas" to everyone before they went to sleep. Which is funny to me since we don't do the whole Santa thing. But the kids loved it.Sunday morning started with stockings. Audrey and Liam each got something special they had wanted while we were in Disneyland so that was a fun surprise.
Each year Daddy goes and picks out a gift for the kids on his own. This year - light sabers for all.
Everyone got special toys they love. For Liam, it was his Lego's.
For Ethan, his police uniform and walkie-talkie!
And Audrey got her first real camera. She's in love!
We went to church and then had some quiet time to enjoy our new things. For dinner that night we tried something new. Everyone made their own pizzas. A huge hit! I daresay a new tradition has been born.

And then bright and early this morning, Audrey and I went out to fulfill one of her gifts. She now has pierced ears! She did great and LOVES them!
It was a wonderful weekend. Each year as the kids get older, we develop more traditions of our own. It's taken us a few years to get the hang of this thing without the benefit of our extended family. But we're getting there. And it's slowly but surely becoming ours. And that's a pretty special thing.

Merry Christmas!

sniff, sniff

2011-12-21T14:03:00.000-08:00

I'm a little sad. I just took down and moved out the last crib that will ever be in our home. Ever. My best friend Kylie came to help. With both the physical and emotional parts.

Don't get me wrong. I love watching my kids grow up. They are all becoming strong, capable, independent people. And isn't that the goal? But it is also hard to believe that a chapter in our lives is over. No more pregnancy, breastfeeding, cribs, diapers, highchairs. And don't get me wrong - most of that makes me very, very happy. Birth to three is not my strong suit. (Don't judge me! It's taken me many years to be able to say that without feeling like a rotten mom. I'm just better at this once we can communicate with words and apply just a teeny bit of common sense to our interactions.) So in many ways I'm happy to have it behind me. But it's over. It's done. And that makes me sad.

So I'll sniff, sniff for a bit. And then move on. I've got a feeling there are some good years ahead of us. And I intend to savor every moment!

weekend wrap-up

2011-12-19T20:00:00.000-08:00

We had a very fun weekend. I thought I'd get around to blogging these one at a time, but we were too busy to blog!

Saturday morning began with Liam's basketball game. (A 36-16 win. Technically no one keeps score during these games. But you can ask any of the players and they can tell you!) We have a strong team this year and it's been fun to watch him play.

Next, we headed up the street to the annual fireman santa event. Local firefighters drive through the neighborhoods and collect food and toys for those in need. They pause at each stop and do pictures. One little guy of ours insisted on going in his full fireman regalia!

Ethan could not care less about a picture with santa. And that letter in his hand? It was not for santa. It was a picture he drew for a fireman.

Pure joy!

Next on the agenda - a rather big move. It came to my attention that it is perhaps time for my 3.5 year-old to move out of his crib. Actually, Audrey was 4 when she made the move so this was considered early for the Oscarson household! Here is a picture of Ethan standing next to his crib on his last night in it.

And believe it or not we were still using the changing table to dress him after his bath. I know, I know. Ridiculous. What can I say?? I don't like change! You'll be relieved to know that the changing table now resides in the garage where it awaits its next owner!

So the big night finally arrived. The evening started with a group huddle and lots of encouragement.

Although it took him an hour to go to sleep - he did it! And slept in until his normal time. Success! But he has not yet taken a nap there. And believe me, he still needs his naps. We'll keep trying!
Then last night Audrey and I went on a double-date with our dear friends, Heather and Lauren. Our evening started at Olive Garden and ended at the Mount Baker Theater to watch the lovely Miss McKenna perform in a dance recital. It was a wonderful night!

field trip

2011-12-16T13:29:00.001-08:00

The kids and I have been studying the ocean recently and we were due for a field trip. So this morning we grabbed a couple of our favorite people and headed to the Marine Life Center. Everyone had a great time. Except maybe the woman volunteering there who was asked many, many questions over the course of one hour. Hey - what can I say? They're inquisitive kids!

....and now...I am off to hit the elliptical for the first time in many, many moons. It won't be pretty. But I have been waaaayyyyyy too indulgent when it comes to Christmas cookies. Time to pay the piper!

Christmas program

2011-12-12T13:22:00.001-08:00

The kids had their annual Christmas program at church this weekend. They all did a great job!

Audrey and Liam were both angels. They memorized all their lines and sang beautifully on the songs.

Ethan's preschool class came up and sang "This Little Light of Mine." He, too, loves being on stage. Seems to run in this famly!

new ornaments

2011-12-06T15:46:00.000-08:00

Dear Grandma and Grandpa,
Thank you very much for our new ornaments! We picked out our very favorites.
Love - Audrey, Liam and Ethan

christmas tree

2011-12-05T15:10:00.000-08:00

It was a great weekend. The perfect combination of rest and productivity. And the Christmas tree is up!

'tis the season!

2011-12-02T12:18:00.000-08:00

Outside lights are up. Christmas music plays almost all the time. And we visited Santa this morning. We're off to a great start!

Oh - and looked what arrived at my door today! Such a sweet surprise from the nicest neighbors in the world. Thank you Thompsons.

stress

2011-11-30T10:42:00.000-08:00

This is absolutely the best thing I've ever read about stress:
http://www.incourage.me/2011/11/because-thanksgiving-is-more-than-a-holiday.html

It was written by Ann Voskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts. It's honest, and beautiful, and the desire of my heart. Thankfully, the creator of this heart of mine knows. And cares. And will not give up on making me more like Him. For that I am thankful.

deleted

2011-11-29T12:50:00.000-08:00

I somehow deleted my entire list of favorite blogs. I now have to re-enter them one.at.a.time. If you notice any that I'm missing, would you please let me know? Thanks!

Disneyland pictures

2011-11-21T09:11:00.000-08:00

Brace yourselves - for more pictures than you probably care to see!

The four of us at the airport waiting for our plane to board. We've been up since 4:00am but so excited no one is feeling tired!
On the shuttle from the airport to our hotel. Getting a little bit goofy!

Waiting to enter! You do lots of waiting in line at Disneyland. Probably a good experience for these homeschooled kids!

The kids watched several vacation-planning dvd's before we left and knew that they wanted Splash Mountain to be their very first ride. I tried to warn them that it's pretty scary and maybe we should work our way up to it. No one listened to me. It ended up being our very first ride - and our very last. With many, many in between! A family favorite, for sure. These pictures are taken during the 50 foot straight-down drop.

Singing "Jingle Bells" with Farley.

Disneyland is even more amazing than usual this time of year. Every night the park is transformed into a winter wonderland - complete with snow falling! It's beautiful.

The vacation package we bought included one character meal. I had heard that the food at "Ariel's Grotto" is great so that's where we went. It also includes a parade of princesses and photo opportunities. Our little "princess," however, is not interested in those princesses so we just did a family photo instead.

We had a ball exploring Tom Sawyer Island.

On our short walk from our hotel to the park.

The only character photo my kids cared about was this one with a Storm Trooper!California Screamin' is a very scary roller coaster. Our kids loved it!

The highlight of the trip was Jedi Training Academy. I had been warned ahead of time that not all kids in the audience get to participate. So we were delighted when both kids got picked! So much fun!

When Patrick and I were last at Disneyland (we think about 11 years ago) we fell in love with a show called Billy Hill and the Hillbillies. It's a bluegrass show with a Christmas flare this time of year. So much fun!Some friends of ours moved down to Huntington Beach a couple of years ago and we got to see them! So great to see familiar faces there!

Yummy food, of course!

The biggest Christmas tree you've ever seen.

More family photos. Maybe we can photoshop Ethan in and use them for Christmas cards. Except for my horrible Splash Mountain hair, of course!

So, so much fun. The week before we left I had been praying for God's favor over this trip. And He gave it - in abundance. We are so grateful.

reunited

2011-11-20T06:54:00.001-08:00

After being away from Ethan for the past week, the kids were going through a bit of an adjustment period last night. Mostly good - they played together a lot. But there was some testing to be sure. At one point Ethan hit Audrey. Audrey said, "Ouch Ethan - don't hit me!" Ethan replied, "Oh sorry Audrey. I thought you were a drum."

Oh goodness - we missed that boy!

Everyone had a wonderful time last week - but we are so thankful to be back under one roof again.

Disneyland...

2011-11-19T11:14:00.000-08:00

...was amazing!

**More pictures to follow once I catch my breath!**

boys weekend

2011-11-08T11:52:00.001-08:00

Liam - "I wore all my clothes more than once while we were gone. Two or three times even."
Me - "That's ok."
Liam - "Except underwear."
Me - "Oh good."
Liam - "I didn't change those at all!"
Me - "What?????"

So let me get this straight. Boys weekend = dirty underwear + TONS of fun!

seven!

2011-11-07T11:01:00.000-08:00

Liam is seven today. Hard to believe. We counted this morning and we have been celebrating for over two weeks! First, Nana and Papa visited. We went out for pizza, had ice cream, opened presents and sang to him. The following weekend, we had his friend party. (I'll post pictures soon!) It was a Seahawks party and very fun. And as a bonus, Grandma and Grandpa came that weekend to surprise him! They took us out for pizza, took him shopping for a new Lego set, and gave him a great Seahawks jersey to wear at his party. Then this past weekend, Liam and Patrick went to Chelan for a fun boys weekend. The highlight was getting to see cousin Erick play in his football game (and win!). They ate yummy food, stayed up late, and had another birthday cake!

This big birthday (seven on the seventh!) has been well-celebrated. Special happenings for such a special kid. Love you so much Liam!

happy halloween!

2011-10-31T20:37:00.001-07:00

garbage day

2011-10-26T15:13:00.000-07:00

Every Wednesday, our garbage day, Ethan is reminded of this fabulous game he likes to play. He piles a whole bunch of toys on one end of the couch and climbs up on the other end to drive his own garbage truck. Then he gets to the dump and scoops everything onto the floor.

Ahhh...such a wonderful imagination that little one has!

nana and papa visit

2011-10-26T06:47:00.000-07:00

My parents came up for a visit this weekend. As always, we had a great time. We did a little early birthday celebration for Liam. And they are such troopers! They braved three hours of freezing, rainy weather to watch the big kids play soccer.

After church on Sunday, my Mom decided it was time that my kids had their first Happy Meals. So off we went. The girl behind the counter at McD's was astounded that they'd never eaten there before. Everyone ate their fries and milk. That was about it. I asked them yesterday what they'd say if someone else invited them to McDonald's. "No thank you," they replied. But hey - it was an experience.

Thanks for coming Mom and Dad! We love it when you visit!

....the kids all have their Halloween costumes on in this picture. Any guesses????

2011-10-25T15:39:00.001-07:00

Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.
~Corrie Ten Boom

the jesus storybook bible

2011-10-24T17:14:00.000-07:00

The kids and I started reading The Jesus Storybook Bible today. They've read it before - this is the first time for me. From the outside it appears to just be another kids' Bible. But inside it is filled with wonderful, insightful treasures. Here is a small part of what we read today:

"God breathed life into Adam and Eve. He loved them with all of his heart. And they were lovely because he loved them."

...lovely because he loved them. For no other reason. Not earned. Not bought. Lovely because he loved them. I needed to hear that today.

disneyland!!

2011-10-20T13:39:00.000-07:00

Airplane tickets - done
Hotel - done
Park tickets - done

Seeing two kids bouncing around here with excitement over their upcoming trip - worth it all!!

silly ethan

2011-10-19T13:09:00.001-07:00

This kid cracks me up on a daily basis! Here are a few examples:

I told him to go outside for a few minutes to get his wiggles out before naptime. When I went to call him in, he informed me that he still has wiggles in his legs and he can't come in yet.

When I went to get him up from bed yesterday morning, he started laughing and said, "Mama, my bed looks just like a jail!" (He's still in a crib.)

This morning he hopped down from breakfast pretty fast. I asked if he was all done. He said, "Yep, he says he all full already." "Who's he?" I ask. "My tummy!"

anxiety

2011-10-19T08:43:00.000-07:00

I am an anxious person. I worry about everything. I'm quite sure I will die of some heart-related illness due to decades of worry. (And I eat oatmeal every morning thinking I can somehow counteract the damage.) My worry is not selective. It's quite inclusive, in fact. I worry about all the usual things (money, health, security, choices for our kids, etc.). I worry about my family. I worry about my friends. But I get really ticked at myself when I worry about things that I should be enjoying. Like our upcoming trip to Disneyland. I'm a mess! I'm worried about the money. I'm worried someone will get sick and we'll have to cancel at the last minute. I'm worried about leaving Ethan (he's staying with my parents). I'm worried there will be a problem with our flight. I'm worried there will be a snafu with our hotel. Or that it will be gross and dirty and I won't be able to sleep there. Or that there will be bed bugs in the room. I worry about Audrey on the flight. Will her ears bother her? I worry about Audrey at Disneyland. Will she be affected by motion sickness that she occasionally gets in the car?

I'm finding that anxiety causes me to shut down when it comes to making decisions. I just can't handle too many choices so I just don't make one. We found out this morning that the hotel/ticket package we were looking at went up by $200. Probably because we waited so long to make it. But I'm in shut-down mode. Can't make a decision. What if it's the wrong decision? Do we save a few hundred bucks and stay someplace cheaper or go for the better place? Free breakfast or a view of the park from our room? Too many choices!!

So now I'm just angry with myself. What a great opportunity this is going to be! I'm so grateful we are able to do this. I'm so grateful my parents can watch Ethan so we can enjoy time with just the big kids. I'm so grateful Patrick was able to get time off from work. Why, oh why can't I just relax and enjoy the process??

**A few hours later** The kids and I just read a couple of chapters from our current Christian Heroes book. We are reading about David Livingstone who sacrificed so much to open the interior of Africa to the gospel message and work toward ending slave trade. What an amazing man! How small my worries appear when they are viewed from an eternal perspective. How small are my worries appear when I am reminded of people who have real struggles in their lives. How selfish I am when I try to do this on my own. I am reminded that my blessings are so great and my faith is so small. "...I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" Mark 9:24b

before and after

2011-10-15T15:07:00.001-07:00

All three kids were in desperate need of haircuts this week. So off we went to our neighborhood hair dresser.

Before:
After: (minus the three-year-old who didn't want his picture taken)

Looking good. Thanks Heather!!

sibling weekend

2011-10-04T06:50:00.000-07:00

I spent a wonderful weekend with my siblings in Bend Oregon. I've decided that if I could be a time traveler for one day I would go back and tell my 14-year-old self, "You just wait. Although having so many siblings makes you crazy right now - you will be SO thankful for each one of them very, very soon."

Thanks Mom and Dad! Five was just right.

repurposed toys

2011-09-26T15:36:00.001-07:00

I love it when toys find a new purpose in our house! What was once Audrey's dollhouse is now Ethan's firehouse. Sleeping quarters upstairs, living quarters in the middle, and firetruck parking below.

(...the dollhouse is still yours when you're ready Alice!!)

our parents

2011-09-21T16:12:00.000-07:00

Patrick and I have been blessed with amazing parents. Seriously. All four of them are wonderful. This past week we had the chance to go to Chelan for a week of vacation. And I am not kidding when I tell you that we were spoiled rotten by our parents. (Is it possible to spoil adult children? Yes, I think so.)

My parents host us when we visit Chelan. And for seven days we take over, TAKE OVER, their home. They never complain. They are so gracious. We eat their food, we swim in their pool, we pee all over their toilets (sorry - we're working on that!). We are so very comfortable in our home away from home.

We have been in need of a new computer for a few years now. When we were finally ready, I asked my Dad (former owner of Chelan's premier computer store) for his input. He found us a great deal on a laptop and had it ordered and at his house when we got there. Then he spent hours getting everything transferred and set up. What a gift.

Patrick's parents have a tradition where they take our kids school-clothes shopping every September. The kids look forward to this day all year long. And we are so thankful because we could never afford to give them so much. When they get home they put on a pretty amazing fashion show!

Amy Grant and Michael W Smith were performing in Wenatchee last week. My parents treated Audrey, Liam, and I to tickets to the show. SECOND ROW! I could feel the sweat as it flew from Michael W Smith's brow. No kidding. (He's a sweaty man on stage.) And Amy Grant has been one of my favorites since I was Audrey's age. It was so much fun!

On Monday, we took a walk around Riverfront Park with Patrick's parents. As we finished our route through town, they took the kids into the bookstore and let them each pick out a new book. On Thursday they cooked us pancakes for breakfast. And on Friday, they had the kids over to bake cookies. All very special traditions my kids enjoy so much.

See what I mean?? We have been so blessed to have the parents we do. It is something we do not take for granted. They love us, they care for us, and from time to time, they spoil us rotten!

first and third

2011-09-20T13:51:00.001-07:00

Our year ahead is going to be a busy one! First grade and third grade both sound so big. I'm feeling more pressure every year to make sure I'm covering grade-appropriate material. I think we're doing okay - but it's A LOT of work! Here are the details:

History - Story of the World: The Middle Ages
Science - Chemistry: Adventures with Atoms and Molecules
Geography - Spectrum Geography, Grade 3
Spelling - Spelling Power (Audrey), Spelling Workout (Liam)
Grammar - First Language Lessons (Gr. 3 for Audrey, Gr. 1 for Liam)
Writing - Writing with Ease (Gr. 3 for Audrey, Gr. 1 for Liam)
Math - Horizons Math + lots of memory work and math games
Bible - What the Bible is All About for Young Explorers + memorization + daily verse look-up
Discovering Genres - Fiction and Nonfiction
Editing - Daily Paragraph Editing
Handwriting - Handwriting Without Tears
Memorization - verses, the presidents, states and capitals

Oh - and we're fitting all of that into four days a week because every Friday we will be going to our new homeschool co-op!! The kids and I are very excited. We've been on the waiting list for the past two years and there is finally a spot for us. I had no idea what I would do with Ethan during this time, but then a wonderful opportunity to trade childcare with a friend worked out for fall quarter. Co-op goes from 9:45-1:30 each Friday. The kids will pick two classes each quarter. They will get to bring their lunch (picking out our first lunchboxes was a huge hit!) and meet lots of new friends. I think it's going to be the perfect addition to our homeschooling.

Both big kids are also playing soccer and doing Awana. And I begin my weekly Bible study this week. Phew....I'm tired just thinking about it. But in reality, we all seem to do better when we're busy. And schedules are good. So here's to fall! We're off to a great start.

we're diving in!

2011-09-19T12:56:00.001-07:00

not over yet

2011-09-08T06:29:00.000-07:00

Summer is not over in the Oscarson home! (1) We haven't started back to school yet. (2) The weather is HOT! So in our usual relaxed, summer fashion - we are enjoying it! The kids are still sleeping in. They play outside and read books most of the day. And we spent yesterday afternoon at a spray park. It was Ethan's first time and that little guy was loving it. Hooray for summer!

not back-to-school

2011-09-07T06:41:00.000-07:00

We had our annual 'not back-to-school' celebration yesterday with our good friends. We went to our favorite park, had lunch at a little bakery, and visited a new library. Very fun day!

perfect ending

2011-09-06T15:25:00.000-07:00

We had a great family weekend. Garage sale/lemonade stand, BBQ, church, date night, bike riding, trail hike with friends and time on the beach. Such a perfect end to a wonderful summer!

once upon a time...

2011-09-02T15:54:00.000-07:00

Little Boy (crying loudly): I want a marshmallow.
Big Girl: But Mommy said no.
Little Boy: But I want one.
Big Girl: Remember how I told you yesterday that tv will rot your brain? Well marshmallows can rot your teeth. So Mommy doesn't want you to have one.
Little Boy (cries even louder)
The end.

public transit

2011-09-01T14:55:00.000-07:00

Each summer, Kylie and I take the kids on a city bus field trip. This morning, we boarded the bus near our home and took a 30 minute ride downtown. We went to a bakery and enjoyed cookies and then walked to the library where everyone checked out books. We made it back to the bus station right on time and had a nice ride home. Despite our grumpy bus driver who looked at me like I'm a moron when I asked him questions, it was a delightful morning!

concert in the park

2011-08-30T09:02:00.001-07:00

The kids and I attended a concert at Elizabeth Park last week. It was a beautiful night and we had a lot of fun. They all enjoy dancing and spent most of the evening out there. The big kids are getting more "refined" in their dancing. But I was thrilled to catch some of Ethan's signature dance moves!

hot, hot, hot

2011-08-22T10:57:00.000-07:00

It was finally hot here this weekend. I'm not one who generally enjoys the heat - but even I have to admit that this summer has been ridiculously cold. So we took the hot weather we were given and we ran with it. The kids played in the sprinkler several times. (The view of swimsuits hanging on the front porch to dry is one of my favorites!) We BBQ'd burgers and corn on the cob. And then Sunday night after dinner we took a drive out to Sudden Valley and got ice cream and put our feet in the water. Patrick and I lived out there before we had kids and we had fun showing them our old house and some of our favorite places.

**Do you see Ethan's puffy black eye? It looks much worse in person. He fell while we were at Fred Meyer this weekend. He screamed and screamed. I got lots of 'what kind of mother are you?' glares. It was awesome. Note to self - always smile at the Mama who is trying to comfort her screaming kid. She could probably use it!

summer days

2011-08-17T17:44:00.000-07:00

We have been having a great summer. There have been no fancy vacations or super-exciting destinations. We've just been enjoying what each day brings. Loving this break from our busy school schedule. Having fun with friends. Saying "yes" to last-minute adventures.

The kids are getting older and that certainly gives us more freedom (yay!). And I am getting older too and learning to cherish the days rather than wish them away (I did say learning, there are still tough days to be sure). But either way - this summer has been delightful. In fact, we usually start back to school mid-August. But not this year. We're going to drag this summer out as long as possible!

sweet sisters

2011-08-16T12:15:00.001-07:00

Two of my sisters and their kids came for a visit this weekend. Like all of our family gatherings - it was chaotic but SO much fun. One of things I love most about my sisters is the way we love one another's kids. This weekend they took time out to make my girlie feel like a princess. And when they love on her - they love on me. Thank you sweet sisters!

lemonade stand

2011-08-11T09:56:00.000-07:00

Audrey has been asking, no begging, to do a lemonade stand for quite some time. And yesterday was finally the day. Patrick had some time to himself last week and spent it building them a great lemonade stand. We moved it over to Kylie's house (since they get a little more traffic than we do). We baked brownies and mixed up the lemonade. The five kids each took turns "manning" the station.

It was very fun. After expenses, they each earned $1.25 - and were thrilled. Not bad for a cloudy Wednesday in Bellingham. Liam is my little entrepreneur. He had figured out ahead of time how much we'd need to sell in order to not only make money, but also be able to fund another one. And this morning he tells me that next time we should tell all of our customers where and when we'll be doing it again so they can come back if they like our stuff. Smart kid.

family camp

2011-08-10T13:27:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we celebrated our annual "Family Camp" in Lake Chelan. Lots of swimming, boating, yummy food and laughter. When it comes to family - we have been 'blessed beyond measure' for sure!

Rachel, Courtney, Stefani, Lucas, Kelly
Ethan, Jonah, Charlie, Abram, Alice, Audrey, Liam

track and field

2011-08-02T12:49:00.001-07:00

Every Monday night Bellingham Parks and Rec puts on a track and field event at Civic Field. It's done on a drop-in basis and costs just $4 per child. We've been able to attend three so far this summer. The kids LOVE it. Tons of events. Tons of ribbons. Lots of friends there. Very fun!

Group huddle before races begin.
Dad got off work in time to come and cheer!

Audrey ran the 50M, 100M, and 200M races.

Liam ran the 50M, 100M, 200M and 400M races. He got first-place for the 400!

Liam throwing the mini-javelin.

Ethan running the 50M hurdles.

Audrey throwing the discus. She got second-place in this event last week!

Liam jumping the long jump.

Audrey throwing the shot put. Nice form, don't you think?

What a great program this is! The list of reasons why we love this community just keeps growing!

ahoy!

2011-08-01T06:32:00.000-07:00

Patrick and Liam went on a very fun adventure yesterday. They participated in a sea battle between two pirate ships out in Bellingham Bay. They were on a boat called the Lake Washington - the same boat used as "the Interceptor" from the Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Everything was very realistic (although Liam was disappointed that they were not using real cannon balls!) and they had a great time.

the secret garden

2011-07-30T21:57:00.001-07:00

Audrey did a wonderful job as the crow in the play 'The Secret Garden'. It was a very long day but she had a ball and loves being on stage!

Good friends.

A sweet little brother waiting to give his big sister the flowers he picked out for her.

That's a wrap!

accomplishments

2011-07-30T07:29:00.001-07:00

It's been a season of accomplishments around here the past few weeks.

Ethan - fully potty-trained. Woo-hoo!! And - he says "Okay" instead of "O-tay".

Liam - ties his own shoes and as of yesterday - can pump on a swing!!

Audrey - is performing today in her first play at the Mt. Baker Theatre! She's excited and nervous. Pictures coming soon. Oh - and she tried her very first Lunchable this week. I tried to warn her that they're gross, but she wanted to try it herself. She says she doesn't ever want to have another one.

I celebrate each milestone with them - and whisper to myself, "slow down little one - it's going too fast." (Except for the potty-training, that's just down-right good!)

one week

2011-07-27T13:29:00.000-07:00

It's only been one week since I've blogged - and yet so much has happened.

Last week my nephew, Charlie, had a very serious reaction to a virus and ended up being intubated and flown to Children's Hospital. So, so scary. My sister Stefani and her husband Kevin experienced some of the most awful days a parent can endure. And let me just say - they were amazing! Charlie was in the hospital for five days and during this time my parents and all my siblings were able to be there. We are all grown and leading our separate lives - and yet when one of us is in need - we come together to support and love one another. I love them all so much! We are so thankful that Charlie is home now. He is doing well and getting stronger every day. AMEN!

This weekend Audrey and I were able to head to Chelan with our friends Kylie and McKenna for a lovely girle weekend. The weather was great. We had tons of swimming time, went to the waterslides, rode the town trolley, and ate yummy food. What a wonderful time! Except for the 6-hour drive home....but it was a small price to pay!

This week is busy, but good. Audrey is doing her first Missoula Children's Theatre camp so she has been gone a lot. On Saturday she will have a dress-rehearsal and two performances - and will be tired for sure! But she's enjoying it and learning a lot. The boys and I are busy running errands and getting our home back in order after a crazy week.

It was scary, it was crazy, it was joyful, it was exhausting. And God is GOOD. He has been merciful to us and we are thankful.

We love you Charlie!!

thank you vicki!

2011-07-18T13:07:00.000-07:00

This past September we were blessed with the most wonderful speech therapist for Ethan. Her name is Vicki and Ethan and I loved her right from the start. She came to our home on a regular basis and worked with both of us to help get him talking.

Now that Ethan is three and recently tested at age level for speech (Amen!), we are all done with therapy. Last week we had a little party for Vicki. Thankfully, we'll get to keep seeing her from time to time - because now she's a dear friend!

gathering place

2011-07-15T22:53:00.001-07:00

This week we found a new dining room table on craigslist. And the very next day we sold our old table and chairs. I love my new table and we were glad to get rid of our old stuff. But being the sentimental person I am, saying goodbye was a bit sad. That dining set was our first major purchase as a married couple almost 18 years ago. We used money that was a wedding gift from my grandparents. And it has traveled with us to many homes over the years.

For the first ten years there were just two of us having our meals there. Then we started adding little ones. First pushed up to it in their high chairs. Then actually sitting at it in their booster seats. And finally, they would graduate to the big chairs. It's our family gathering place. A few times each day we sit and eat and pray and talk. As we're enjoying our new table this week, I can't help but wonder what the people who dine at it today will look like in another 18 years. And I remind myself, once again, to cherish today. To cherish the noise and the mess and the chaos that is our lives. It's temporary. And I have been so blessed.

flag football

2011-07-12T20:36:00.000-07:00

Liam has been playing flag football through the YMCA the past several weeks. He's a great little player and is having a wonderful time. We were blessed with a coach that has taught him a lot and makes sure the boys have fun too.

happy birthday ethan!

2011-07-11T13:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Ethan,
You are three years old today little one. And oh how thankful we are for the strong, healthy, fun little boy that you are. What a big year this has been! For starters, this is the year you started talking. When you turned two, you had just five or six words. Although you were great at using non-verbal tools to communicate, there were still lots of frustrating times. Now - you talk. And talk and talk and talk. Big huge sentences. Most of the time loudly - and often times to tell someone what to do. :) And we love it. I keep wondering if I'll ever get tired of hearing you talk - I really don't think so.
We're so proud of you! You're a very fun little boy. You have a great sense of humor (you think Daddy is particularly funny!). Your big brother and sister adore you. We're so, so glad you're ours.
Life in this house definitely changed three years ago. And we wouldn't have it any other way. Love you Ethan!
~Mommy

celebrating ethan!

2011-07-10T16:05:00.001-07:00

Yesterday we spent a fun family day celebrating Ethan's upcoming birthday. Can't believe he's almost THREE!

We went up to Birch Bay and rode on a fun little train.

We had cake and ice cream - all picked out by Ethan.

He opened presents.

Including a new bike from Grandma and Grandpa!

And we went out for dinner to his favorite pizza place.

Such a great day! We love you Ethan!!

busy, busy July

2011-07-08T16:16:00.000-07:00

This month is off to a great start! The big kids spent time in Chelan with my parents and had a ball. Swimming, waterslides, junk food, late nights - what's not to love?? Patrick, Ethan and I got to spend a weekend in Seattle at my brother's home and we had a great time too. We rode the monorail, visited the zoo, shopped at Ikea and went to Madison Park three times in two days.

Now we're all back under one roof (which feels so good!) and getting back into our routine. Oh, and we have a little birthday celebration going on this weekend. Hard to believe we won't have a two-year-old in this house anymore.

All in all it's going to be a fun, busy month. We love summertime!!

Ethan and Patrick at the zoo. It's clear who our travel guide was!

The elephants were a highlight!

Audrey and Liam loaded up with Luke, Jee Young and Alice on their way to Chelan.

strawberry heaven

2011-06-29T08:48:00.000-07:00

Our breakfast this morning: homemade granola and juicy strawberries from Boxx Berry Farm. Liam declared it his "best breakfast ever". I would have to agree.

merry half-christmas!

2011-06-26T07:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was half-Christmas. A tradition in our home which includes small gifts, a big breakfast, Christmas cookie baking, and lots of Christmas music. And because this half-Christmas fell on a beautiful weekend day, we also went to our local farmer's market and played a lively game of kick ball in the back yard.

As far as made-up holidays go, this one tops our list!

brothers

2011-06-24T08:16:00.001-07:00

Love watching the boys find new things they enjoy doing together!

ice cream with Nana

2011-06-23T06:57:00.001-07:00

Pure. Joy.

gross!

2011-06-21T13:44:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to decide if this story will gross you out or make you think I'm just a homeschooling mom who tries to incorporate learning in everything we do. :-)

You recall that sunburn that I mentioned last week? Well now it's peeling. In pretty big pieces. So I tell Audrey to quick, go get a clean microscope slide and let's take a look at this stuff up close!

I know, I know. GROSS!

dance recital

2011-06-20T12:54:00.000-07:00

Audrey had a dance recital this weekend. She took a couple of years off from dance so this was her first performance in awhile and she was quite nervous. But she did a great job and really seems to love it!

butterflies

2011-06-14T12:13:00.000-07:00

Our butterflies came out last week. We even got to watch one as it emerged.

Yesterday we took advantage of a sunny day and released them. So amazing to watch them fly away. They knew exactly what to do.

Very fun spring project. Might do this one every year!

sunburned and happy

2011-06-13T16:24:00.000-07:00

I have a sunburn. A pretty good one, actually. But every time I see it in the mirror and gasp, or move the wrong way and feel pain - it makes me happy. This sunburn represents several beautiful things for me.

1. The sun was out this weekend.
2. I was able to enjoy it from a very beautiful location on Whidbey Island.
3. I was with girlfriends that I treasure and love.
4. I was so relaxed and comfortable - I did not even realize my skin was frying.

So although it will take awhile for the effects to wear off - it was worth it. I'm so blessed by my friends. And I have a husband who encourages me to go away and takes very good care of our kids while I'm gone.

Sunburned and happy. That's me!

last day of school!

2011-06-10T14:20:00.001-07:00

Today is our last day of school for the year. Audrey is now a 3rd grader - and Liam is a 1st grader. (Oh my.) We celebrated with a trip to our favorite park and a picnic with friends.

The kids surprised me with treats on my desk this morning. Beautiful cards they had made, an apple, and my favorite candy bar! SO thoughtful.

Once all of their work was filed, they had fun going through their notebooks and seeing all the things we had done this year.

It was busy, fun, exciting and at times hectic - but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

bubbles!

2011-06-09T12:55:00.000-07:00

My cousin Erin and her roommate Ashley came over for dinner last night. They brought bubbles and all sorts of bubble paraphernalia with them. SOOOO much fun!

girls weekend

2011-06-08T09:26:00.000-07:00

Last year, Audrey and I were able to go away for a weekend with two of our best friends - Kylie and McKenna. We went to over to Chelan and stayed with my parents. We had so much fun we've decided this shall be an annual occasion and it's on the calendar this year for July. Audrey and McKenna had a playdate yesterday and they compiled a "Girls Weekend Plan."

* Slidewaters
* GG's resort (GG=Great Grandma)
* Blueberry Hills
* Apple Cup
* Aunt Courtney's shop
* trolley ride
* swimming (Nana's, GG's, Grandma's)
* river side walk
* ice cream
* Lakeview

Looks like a pretty ambitious list! In summary - we will be eating in our bathing suits for three straight days. Sounds good to me!

behold...

2011-06-07T12:19:00.000-07:00

...chrysalises! Four of them. Butterflies to come any day now.

we share

2011-06-02T17:18:00.000-07:00

In this family, we do a lot of sharing. In fact, this month we've been extra generous. We've shared runny noses, coughs, sneezes and pink eye! I'm praying we limit this sharing to just the five of us.

What does your family like to share?

spring science unit

2011-05-27T10:29:00.000-07:00

Any guesses about what we're studying for science these last few weeks?? Fun, fun, fun! I'll keep you posted on their progress.

Liam's been bit...

2011-05-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

...by the reading bug! He was up until the wee hours last night (9pm is late in our house) reading this book. Reading Level 2.8 - but don't tell him that.

I love watching my kids develop a love of reading. Summer reading programs - here we come.

cousins camp...

2011-05-23T11:38:00.001-07:00

...was wonderful. The kids are already looking forward to next year!

Alice, Audrey, Abram, Liam, Ethan, Charlie, Jonah

a new love language

2011-05-17T08:36:00.001-07:00

I think Patrick and I have a new love language. It's called "time off". Now that Ethan is almost three - the kids are quite manageable for just one of us. So we've been taking advantage of this and giving each other time off. Last weekend I went to Bend, OR to spend time with two of my sisters. (We had a great time, by the way - have I mentioned how much I love my sisters??!!) I already have get-aways planned for June and July. And now Patrick is in Chelan for a couple of days by himself. I surprised him with a spur of the moment "why don't you go play for a couple of days" and he took me up on it. And based on the number of times he has thanked me during our phone conversations - I'd say he's feeling loved right now.

back to october 2008

2011-05-02T22:18:00.000-07:00

Some girlfriends were reminding me tonight just how big Ethan was as a baby. Honestly, I had forgotten that. So I went and looked at some old pictures. And yes, he was rather large, but oh my goodness - these kids are so stinkin' cute!

a new season

2011-05-02T14:59:00.001-07:00

I think we are entering a new season in this household. One where all three kids have things they enjoy doing together. And it's wonderful! Ethan loves being able to join in with the big kids.

Painting with watercolors.

Jumping into a pile of pillows and pretending it is a lake. (Big kids are playing too - it was just E's turn.)
Pretending the stairs are a train and jumping aboard. E is always Mr. Conductor.

And lots and lots of outdoor games!

tired already

2011-04-29T11:15:00.000-07:00

I just made our weekend to-do list. Maybe I shouldn't have. I'm tired already.

Four soccer games
Church
Date night!!!
Library pick-up
Liam's new glasses
Grocery shop
Costco shop
Target shop
Penney's $10 coupon
Mow lawn
Load to Goodwill

Now if we could just get a little sunshine - these would all be a bit more enjoyable!

smart or sneaky?

2011-04-28T14:33:00.000-07:00

There are things I do as a mom that make me wonder if I'm being smart or sneaky? Perhaps the fact that I even have to ask the question points toward sneaky. But I don't know. What do you think?

My boys love Wheaties. It's their favorite cereal. I prefer that they eat Total. They say they don't like Total. But my youngest is quite a picky eater and I figure he can use the extra vitamins and minerals where ever he can get them. So yesterday, the Wheaties ran out. I took the box into the kitchen to get a new one and saw an unopened box of Total in there. I took out the plastic bag of Total, slipped it into the Wheaties box and brought it back to the table. And wouldn't you know - they love it.

Or this example. I'm sick and tired of finding pee all over the toilet. On the rim, on the back, on the floor. Yuck! And there is only one young boy in the house who uses the toilet - so I know who the culprit is! This week I thought up a plan. Each day he can earn 25 cents if the toilets are as clean at night as they were in the morning. "No problem" he exclaimed when I told him my proposal. And sure enough - they're spotless. I figure I'll do this for a few weeks and then once I'm sure of what he's capable of - he can pay me 25 cents every time I find misplaced pee!

awards

2011-04-28T08:22:00.000-07:00

The kids finished up a great Awana year. Liam finished his first book, Audrey finished her second and third books. They memorized lots of verses and had a great time! We're so thankful for all the people who serve in this way to make Awana such a success.

egg drop

2011-04-21T07:06:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite Awana nights is "egg drop night." The kids each package an egg that will be dropped off the church roof and hope it withstands the fall. The kids both drew out their elaborate plans and Daddy helped with the construction. I'm happy to report that they both remained intact.

Even against the forces of little brother!

alice

2011-04-20T13:23:00.001-07:00

On Monday we were treated to a visit by my brother and his daughter Alice. She is a doll - we had so much fun!

beautiful

2011-04-14T07:08:00.000-07:00

I woke this morning with a bad attitude. I was awakened earlier than I would have liked. And one glance outside told me it was going to be another rainy day. I turned on the tv for the little one that woke me and curled up on the couch. The next time I looked out the window - I saw huge flakes of snow falling, already covering the yard. Isn't it beautiful?

my focus and prayer for today...

2011-04-11T14:02:00.000-07:00

"Because what will the math really matter if they are bitter? If the house is immaculate — but my attitude a mess? If they can count — but they don’t know how to count all things as joy? If we get the lists done, but have lost happiness in Him? How can any grammar skill outweigh the fact they don’t know the language of grace and thanks? What good will it be if they can recite all the major British battles — but they don’t know to see beauty? What am I teaching our children if I’m not living simply, quietly this: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Phil. 4:8). Focusing on what is beautiful, good, true –isn’t this the truest education?" ~Ann Voskamp

laugh!

2011-04-08T12:22:00.001-07:00

Some days, my kids crack me up. Today has been one of those days.

The kids and I like to listen to some of our favorite songs on YouTube and dance around the living room. Audrey asked to listen to one of her favorites, "Jesus Take the Wheel" by Carrie Underwood, a song she's only heard on the radio until today. "Mom," she said, "she doesn't look anything like I pictured. She looks like Kezi's makeup doll. Her hair is even blonder than mine and she has a bunch of stuff on her face!"

A short while later Ethan and I were reading his nap time book. It was a book of opposites. I said over, he said under. I said out, he said in. I said young. He said "Mommy!"

See what I mean? Cracking up!! Hope your day is filled with laughter too!

our week in pictures

2011-04-08T10:10:00.001-07:00

Audrey prepared an April Fools' Day breakfast for Liam - make completely of paper and cardboard. He clearly loved it!

Audrey made her own slides to look at under her microscope from leaves and flowers she and a friend collected while on an 'adventure walk'.

This little guys loves puzzles. And is quite good at them!

And he has a new favorite phone.

The boys raided Audrey's hair drawer. Daddy would be so proud.

Audrey and I went for a late-night walk after the boys were in bed. So fun. The first of many, I'm sure!

sisters

2011-04-01T11:12:00.000-07:00

My sister recently came for a visit. I'm the oldest in our family - she is the youngest. We are separated in age by eight years, but that space seems to dwindle with each passing year. We had a wonderful time. I adore her, my kids adore her - and we miss her already.

Patrick and I are done having kids. Our quiver is full and our cup runneth over. But when I spend time with my sisters - and realize that my daughter will never experience this relationship - it makes me stop and wonder. How would I be different if I had no sisters? They love me and refine me and laugh with me and are honest with me like no one else on this earth. And it makes me sad that Audrey will never have this in her life.

grand prix time

2011-03-15T20:01:00.000-07:00

The kids are participating in a Grand Prix event next week at Awana. Our entries this year: one rainbow car and one UPS truck!

a break

2011-03-13T07:18:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to take a break this weekend, and it was wonderful. Some friends from my Bible Study and I headed down to Tacoma to see Beth Moore at the Tacoma Dome. There were 6300 women there! It was a wonderful time of worship, encouragement, and friendship. God is so good! Everyone at home did great - I have an amazing husband! Sweet Ethan kept saying "Mama, I missed you" over and over when I got home. He's going through a real stuck-on-mommy-phase so I was nervous about leaving, but he did just fine. It couldn't have gone smoother. Perhaps I need to get away more often??!!

**Thank you Misha and Erin for helping to make this possible!**
**Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for the gifts and Red Robin! The kids had a ball!**

eight

2011-02-24T18:34:00.000-08:00

It's official. She's eight. Our precious little girl - growing into a lovely young lady. She has such a wide range of interests and likes. Her birthday wish list included a Lego house set, a microscope, and an American Girl doll. She's as girlie as they come - but also loves to wrestle and play rough. She's smart and thoughtful, and silly and wild. Love her so much, this child of mine.

party time!

2011-02-21T11:05:00.000-08:00

We celebrated Audrey's upcoming 8th birthday this weekend. She chose to have a "pre-slumber" party (do all the things you would do for a real slumber party except guests get picked up by parents right before the actual fall asleep time). Five of her friends came over and we had a ball. The night went something like this: dinner (tacos and pink lemonade), cake and ice cream, craft time, change into pj's and lay out sleeping bags, open presents, watch a movie (and snuggle up in one big pile during the "scary" parts), eat popcorn, paint toenails, have a gigantic pillow fight, go home wired and all hopped up on sugar.

Audrey had a great time. Several times during the night she would come up to me and whisper, "Mom, this is awesome! Thank you so much." Ahhhh - makes it all worthwhile.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T19:54:00.000-08:00

We had some special friends over today and celebrated Valentine's Day with them!

We decorated bags and exchanged valentine treats.

We did a fun craft and talked about what the Bible teaches us about LOVE.

We decorated cookies and ate way too much sugar!

Oh - and as a special Valentine's Day surprise from my hubby - we enjoyed our own quartet concert.

Happy Valentine's Day to you too!!